3. [Kant: categorical and hypothetical imperatives] (2019 A) b. Analyse the extent to which Kant's approach to ethics is an unhelpful moral principle. [20]

para 3

However, categorical imperatives do provide a powerful set of moral principles in accordance with duty that prohibit acts commonly accepted as immoral. Therefore, Kantian ethics is helpful because goodwill is intrinsically good and duty is the only valid moral reason for actions.

para 2

Another argument against Kantian ethics is that it relies on reason rather than external sources of morality, such as religion. Kant also does not allow for prima facie duties (developed by W. D. Ross) which come to a human intuitively when a situation arises. This leaves no room for acknowledging special relationships and the call for morality to be legitimately partial. Many argue that morality is relative and that there are many different moral practices all over the world, suggesting objective morality arrived at through reasoning doesn't.t exist.

Intro

In this context, I will understand a 'helpful' ethic to be one that is applicable to common situations and accessible and comprehensible to ordinary people. Kant believed all human beings possessed the ability to use reason and discern moral law and he put forward categorical imperatives. These are the moral principles able to be worked out in consideration with the universal law. It is based on reason alone, potential outcomes or changing human situations are not taken account of.

para 1

A criticism of Kantian ethics is that it cannot apply to all common situations and therefore loses its supposedly universal advantage. This refusal to allow exceptions places a severe restriction on human beings. Personal relationships is an example of Kantian ethics appearing controversial to many people. Say a man with a gun asked you if your sibling was in the house, Kantian ethics acknowledges the categorical imperative that it is wrong to lie so you would have to say yes or stall him without lying. Many people reject this demand. Thus, the nature of categorical imperatives is that they are accessible to all irrespective of experience, however, Kant may be over confident in his assumption that all rational agents will recognise categorical imperatives without confusion or contradiction. A categorical imperative is one that the moral agent can will to become a universal law, thus are more helpful than hypothetical imperatives but it is reasonable to suppose some actions are carried out to meet needs not deemed universal.

In conclusion,

Kant's approach makes the error of assuming ethics is like science. It is important that and ethical theory allows room for hypothetical imperatives and for the sake of true universality, exceptions in extreme circumstances. Therefore, Ross's concept of prima facie duties permitting a degree of flexibility in the application of the categorical imperative makes it more helpful in the modern world.